Badlands is badlands, no matter what. Day 63, August 23, 2017

First let's finish up yesterday.  Last evening we went to the show "Medora Musical."  Senior night so with tax the tickets were $38 each.  Super evening out in the open in this beautiful theater with the badlands as the backdrop.  What a show!!  As advertised, it was a musical and contained a lot of singing, dancing, music, patriotism and just plain down home fun.  So glad we went and I would recommend it to anyone coming through North Dakota and speaking of that state, what pride they all have in it!!  Several of the songs lauded the benefits of living and calling North Dakota home.  I think more states might think about this type of exposition.  The only place I remember seeing this much local pride was in Calgary when Alberta had a birthday.

Here are a couple of photos from the gig:





This morning I got in a good 4 miles down through the little town.  Nice cause they have a bike trail that no one was on but me.  Cool enough early to really be able to enjoy the run.  Sure can tell that the elevation had changed.  We are now at 2000 feet instead of sea level.  The lungs are working harder than the legs (or at least it feels that way).  

After breakfast we took the scenic tour into the Theodore Roosevelt National Park (free for us with our senior pass).  This park is inside of the Badlands and was the place that inspired Theodore (as president) Roosevelt to initiate the National Park System.  He ended up here because he loved hunting the buffalo but in the end, he had the foresight to see that if something weren't done to protect the wildlife, our kids would never see it.  Thank you Mr. Roosevelt.  

We saw a bit of "wildlife" as we drove the 38 mile scenic byway:




Also, too many prairie dogs to photograph -- there were "prairie dog towns" -- yes there were.

Here are a couple pictures of the Badlands.  Can't imagine negotiating them on horseback or foot.






 Folks, you gotta see it to believe it.  In the middle of North Dakota, after miles and miles of flat stuff.  Incredible.  By the way, it was all caused by that "little Missouri River" (muddy stream) I showed you last post.  Really difficult to believe, I'd say.

The band in the park is still playing -- sweet.  

Tomorrow we press further west . . .  we are only one time zone away from home.  

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